Beneath the Night Tree by Nicole Bart

Julia DeSmit is a single mom to her son and her half-brother. She takes delight in living with her grandma on the family farm. While their family looks different than most it's hers and she loves it. She has a good job, a handsome boyfriend whom she expect to be engaged to any day, and family that is dear. Her world is rocked when her son's father e-mails her and asks "do I have a child?". Her response and what follows turns her world upside down. God's grace reigns and Julia finds God's blessings in the midst of uncertainty.

I gave you a very brief synopsis of this book because it's a winner and I didn't want to give anything away. Nicole Bart writes with beautiful imagery and you'll find yourself captivated. The book's description did not intrigue me so I was reluctant to crack open the pages of this one. However, I was immediately drawn in and I read it in record time. The undertones of healing and wholeness were beautiful and the story so sweet you'll be up late turning the pages of this one. Get it, read it, be blessed.

Thank you to Tyndale House for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner

Her husband has moved to New Hampshire needing "time away", her son is off to college, and Jane has just received a shipment of antiques from England with a hidden ring that dates back to the 1500's. The ring is beautiful but even more intriguing is the inscription on the inside side that has Jane's name on it.

This book was an easy fascinating read. I was dreading another book about a woman's struggle to rebuild her life after her husband leaves her. However, Lady in Waiting holds many surprises and I was very pleasantly surprised. Switching back and forth between the 16th century England and modern day New York I found myself captivated by the stories in both centuries. As always I found myself fascinated by the historical aspects. Jane learns much about love and I dare say the reader will as well.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review. 

The House on Malcom Street

Leah Breckenridge’s life has been one cruel twist after another. Forsaken by her father, her husband killed, and her baby son a victim of influenza Leah is desperate to find a way to provide for herself and young daughter in 1920. Leah is angry at God and there are days that Eliza, her daughter, is the only thing that keeps her moving forward. Left with nowhere else to turn Leah and Eliza show up on the doorstep of her late husband’s aunt’s boarding house. It doesn’t take long for Aunt Marigold to worm her way into Leah’s heart but will Leah’s heart ever start
mending after all of her losses?

Purpose is found in helping Aunt Mari keep the boarding house running, although there is only one border, Josiah. A relative of her late husband Josiah seems to resent Leah’s very presence in the house. Leah finds escape in the garden as she helps bring life to what was thought to be dead. Josiah has his own story and is dealing with his own loss as the reader will discover as the book switches back and forth in first person between the two characters.

There are a myriad of themes that run throughout this book. Will healing happen? Will Leah be able to face her demons and move forward? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Leisha Kelly has written some truly wonderful books and I opened the pages of this one with great anticipation. I was disappointed. It’s a very heavy book and the resolution at the end is rather poorly written. I could appreciate all the themes of God’s healing and wholeness but I was hoping for more. I snuggled in expecting to fall in love with the house on Malcom Street and instead I was rather ready to head out the door about halfway through the book. I do, however, believe this provides a very accurate description of what true mourning is like and I am confident there are readers that will find great comfort and healing in this book.

Rated PG- for heavy content

Thanks to Revell for providing a copy for review purposes!

Licensed for Trouble

PJ Sugar is trouble with a capital “T”. Her whole life has seemed to be a series of mishaps and disasters. When she finds out she has inherited the Kellogg family fortune she can’t imagine why. The sole beneficiary of Kellogg’s wealthiest widow PJ is baffled why a woman she hardly knew would leave everything to her. The inheritance turns out to be the Kellogg family mansion that is in complete shambles. Charming with an idyllic setting the mansion is nonetheless in serious need of remodeling. Handyman help comes in the form of Max Smith, a man without a past. Private Investigator in training, PJ takes on Max’s case with no idea where it might lead.

Licensed for Trouble is the third installment in Susan Warren’s PJ Sugar series. This book picks up a few weeks after “the kiss” in book two between PJ and her boss, Jeremy Kane. While PJ can’t deny the chemistry she has with Jeremy she also can’t put former love, Boone, out of her mind. Jeremy remains distant and PJ remains confused. As PJ tries to figure out her love life she also stays busy, and in trouble, trying to find Max’s past, chasing a bail jumper, and discovering secrets about her own past.

PJ’s character development in this book is wonderful and completely relatable. Feeling doomed to always live up to her moniker “nothing but trouble” PJ slowly but surely begins to experience God’s grace and redemption. With the help of the dashing and romantic Jeremy PJ finds the fresh start she’s been longing for. She turns to God and allows him to name her, define her, and love her.

Susan May Warren is a favorite author of mine. Although there are plenty of page turning moments in this book I also found sections that seemed to drag. However, PJ is a delight to get to know and while I would recommend reading the first two books before this book, this one can be read as a standalone. Warren keeps the reader guessing as PJ’s heart pulls her in different directions. You’ll find yourself gasping as PJ is rescued time and time again by one or more of the handsome men in her life. The mystery will keep you guessing and the ending will….well I’m not going to tell you everything. Enjoyable and a great end to this series!

Rated PG- for violence

Thanks to Tyndale Fiction for providing a copy of this book for review!

Yak Trax

The first time I tried these puppies I was in Idaho recovering from knee surgery. I was working my way off crutches in the middle of an icy wonderland. A friend let me borrow her yak trax and I was a new somewhat mobile woman. These things fit right over your shoe and are super easy to put on. They give you grip on ice and packed snow. I have my own pair and I use them all the time in the winter. In fact, even when it's icy I'm able to get my daily walk in. Use caution if you enter a store or a place with a flat surface. The very power that gives you grip on ice can give you slip on tile. I always remove mine. They fold up and are easy to travel with and they're definitely worth having especially if you have chronic klutziness.

You can buy them at a sport's store or online. The best are the brand name ones "Yak Trax".  Love them!

Biblical Cyclopedic Index

I was nerdishly excited to receive this book in the mail. While I certainly wouldn't define myself as a biblical scholar I am always looking for an easy book to better help me (and the kids I work with) navigate the Bible. I was pleasantly surprised to receive this book and find it to be such an easy size to handle. Most indexes are the size of a compact car. The Nelson's Biblical Cyclopedic Index fits easily in one hand, in your backpack, or even in your purse.

Beyond how it looks I found the index to be extremely functional. There are over 8000 listings in alphabetical order! Each one also includes scripture references. It's extremely user friendly and breaks things down into subheadings as well. You can literally find just about any word your heart desires in this little book and most words even include a small definition. A great tool for any pastor, student, layperson, or Christian. Definitely recommend!

Cute, functional, expansive, and helpful! Now if only I would have had this during my seminary days.....




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

City of Tranquil Light

City of Tranquil Light
Author: Bo Caldwell
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publishing Date: September 28, 2010

Will Kiehn is a simple Midwestern man. Growing up in a farmer’s home it seems inevitable that he will continue to work the land like the generations before him. However, in the early 1900’s God places a call on his heart for the country of China. Answering that call, he leaves all that is familiar he catches a boat and moves to the North China Plain in 1906. In China he meets fellow missionary Katherine, a dedicated nurse with struggling language skills. They fall in love, marry, and dedicate their lives to serving together in China.

The early 1900’s is a time of great turmoil in China. The two-thousand-year-old dynasty is crumbling and the nation plunges into violent civil war. Will and Katherine make their home in Kuang P’ing Ch’eng- City of Tranquil Light. They are well accepted by the people of the city and Katherine’s nursing skills are an open door for many new converts. However, the country is far from safe. Disease threatens the life of their newborn, Will is kidnapped by bandits, and rebel soldiers take the city by storm. In the midst of it all we journey with Will and Katherine and their unending love for each other as they pour out their very lives into the country they have adopted as home.

The depth of this book will captivate you. The story is told alternatively through Will and Katherine’s viewpoints. Will tells the story as an aging widow and we see Katherine’s story through her journal entries. Their love for each other and their dedication for their calling is truly beautiful. Bo Caldwell creatively weaves in portions of her own grandparent’s story as missionaries to China into the novel which adds a wonderful spark of meaning into a book already overflowing with meaning. The historical aspects of China that are revealed through the book are fascinating and not over done. You’ll walk away wanting to know more.

You’ll find yourself completely drawn into Will and Katherine’s story. Like any truly good book you won’t want this one to end. I found myself overwhelmed at the sacrifices the missionaries of old had to make. Many missionaries packed their belongings into coffins because they knew their bodies would only ever return to the place of their birth. Will and Katherine became a part of China and China’s impact on their lives was permanent. I dare say that this book could impact you much the same. In it you’ll find the soft whisper of the Father as he creates his story in the characters but also as he whispers his story to the reader. A story of love, of sacrifice, of a God who transcends cultures to reveal himself to his beloved creation.

Rated: PG- for war violence and drama

***Special thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***